Chapter 2

2.

When I submitted my transfer request at the personnel office, Major Evans nearly fell out of his chair.

"Miller, are you serious? A transfer to 'Whiskey Point'? That's the most remote outpost in the country, a godforsaken ghost town in the Alaskan wilderness! The conditions there are enough to drive a person insane!"

I calmly pushed the form towards him. "Major, I've thought this through."

Major Evans stared at me like I was an alien. "But you and Jack… aren't you getting married next month? Why are you pulling a stunt like this now?"

"We're over," I said.

He froze. His thermos clattered to the floor, spilling hot coffee everywhere.

"This is insane!" he muttered, fumbling to clean up the mess. "You two are the base's golden couple! How could you just break up? Does Jack know?"

"This is my decision, not his."

My resolve was absolute. Realizing he couldn't change my mind, Major Evans sighed and finally signed my form.

"You better be sure about this. Once this request goes up the chain, there's no turning back."

"Thank you, Major." I saluted and turned to leave.

No turning back. That was exactly what I wanted.

The paperwork went through surprisingly fast. Maybe everyone assumed I was just being impulsive, that I’d go play "survivalist" for a few days and come back crying.

The day I left, the North Carolina sky was a blanket of gray.

I stood at the main gate of the base in civilian clothes, holding my small suitcase.

A black Jeep Wrangler pulled up in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing Jack's sharp, chiseled face.

He stared at me, his brow furrowed, his eyes filled with a mix of impatience and an irritation I couldn't quite place.

"Get in the car," he said, his voice a command.

I didn't move.

"Grace, I don't have time to play these games," his voice turned cold. "About the medal, I admit I didn't think it through. Chloe's father, General Vance, is visiting next month. This honor is important for her. You've always been so understanding, why are you being so difficult this time?"

I looked at him and almost laughed.

So, in his eyes, my ten years of work, my expertise and dedication, could all be sacrificed for his office politics. My "understanding" nature was just an expectation that I would step aside without a fight.

"Captain Callahan," I began, my voice so calm it surprised even me. "First, please address me as Lieutenant Miller. Second, my transfer is a standard military assignment and has nothing to do with you. And finally, I wish you and Miss Vance the very best."

With that, I turned and started walking toward the taxi waiting by the curb.

"Grace!"

Jack’s voice was laced with shock and anger. He slammed his door open, got out, and grabbed my wrist.

His grip was like iron.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he seethed. "This isn't a game. Come back with me, and we can pretend this never happened."

I looked down at the hand gripping my arm. For ten years, this hand had held me, had caressed me. But right now, it just felt cold.

I didn't struggle. I just met his gaze.

"Jack, have you ever stopped to think about what you'll do without me?"

He froze.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your stomach is sensitive, you can only have the steel-cut oatmeal I make for you in the morning. Your uniforms have to be hung from left to right, organized by season and occasion. That snake plant in your office you've had for five years needs to be watered every three days…" I listed them off, one by one. "Who else do you think is going to do all that for you?"

His expression shifted, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

For all these years, I had been like the air he breathed―silent, invisible, but essential. He was so used to my care that he took it all for granted.

"Are you threatening me?" His voice turned dangerous.

I gently pulled my hand free.

"No, I'm just telling you the facts." I looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, "Starting today, none of that is my problem anymore."

"Grace!"

I didn't look back. I opened the taxi door and got in.

As the car pulled away, Jack's figure shrank in the rearview mirror. He just stood there, his perfect uniform looking lonely against the gloomy sky.

He probably thought I was just throwing a fit, that I'd come crawling back to him soon enough.

He didn't know that once a person has had enough disappointment, they just turn around and walk away for good.